Acute Kidney Injury Network Stage Research Articles

Pioneering predictions of AKI and AKIN severity in burn patients: a comprehensive CBC approach

This study aims to evaluate the utility of complete blood count (CBC) markers, in conjunction with the acute kidney injury network (AKIN) criteria, for the early detection, severity assessment, and prediction of mortality outcomes of acute kidney injury (AKI) in burn patients. The research seeks to fill existing gaps in knowledge and validate the cost-effectiveness of using CBC as a routine diagnostic tool for better management of AKI. The study was conducted at Hangang Sacred Heart Hospital. We performed a large-scale retrospective analysis of 2758 adult patients admitted to the burn intensive care unit over a 12-year period. Among these patients, AKI occurred in 1554 patients (56.3%). Based on the AKIN stage classification, 794 patients (28.8%) were categorized as AKIN 1, 494 patients (17.9%) as AKIN 2, and 266 patients (9.6%) as AKIN 3. We defined several ratio markers, including the Neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR), Platelet-to-lymphocyte ratio (PLR), Monocyte-to-lymphocyte ratio (MLR), systemic immune-inflammation index (SII), and various mean platelet volume (MPV) ratios. Our statistical analyses, conducted using the R programming language, revealed significant correlations between these markers and AKI severity. The AUC values for neutrophil count and WBC count were 0.790 and 0.793, respectively, followed by immature granulocyte count with an AUC of 0.727. For red blood cell (RBC)-related parameters, the AUC values for hematocrit (Hct), hemoglobin (Hb), and RBC count were 0.725, 0.713, and 0.713, respectively. Among the platelet-related parameters, only platelet distribution width (PDW) had an AUC of 0.677. Among the ratio markers, the NLR had the highest AUC at 0.772, followed by MPVNR and SII with AUC values of 0.700 and 0.680, respectively. The findings underscore the potential of CBC as an economical, routine test for AKI, thereby paving the way for enhanced patient outcomes. Our study suggests the utility of routine CBC tests, specifically WBC count and PLR, for predicting AKI and platelet, MPV, and NLR for mortality assessment in burn patients. These findings underscore the potential of easily accessible CBC tests in enhancing AKI management. However, further multicenter studies are needed for validation.

Results of the Italian Collaborators for EVAR (ICE) Registry on Acute Kidney Injury After Elective Endovascular Aortic Repair of Infrarenal Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm

The aim of this study was to analyze the incidence and predictive factors of postoperative acute kidney injury (AKI) after elective standard endovascular aortic repair (EVAR) in a large recent, multicenter cohort. This is a multicenter, retrospective, financially unsupported physician-initiated observational cohort study. Between January 2018 and March 2021, only patients treated with elective standard EVAR for infrarenal noninfected abdominal aortic aneurysm were analyzed. Patients already on hemodialysis (HD) were excluded. AKI was defined as an increase in serum creatinine (SCr) ≥0.3 mg/dL within 48 hours or an increase in SCr to ≥1.5 times baseline known or presumed to have occurred within 7 days, or a urine volume of <0.5 mL/kg/h for 6 hours. AKI severity stage was classified according to the Acute Kidney Injury Network (AKIN) criteria. Primary outcomes were AKI incidence at 30 days and freedom from HD at 1 year of follow-up. Secondary outcomes were freedom from severe postoperative complication, and freedom from aorta-related mortality (ARM) at 1 year. We analyzed 526 patients (86.5%). There were 489 males (93%) and 37 females (7%): the median age was 76 years (interquartile range, 3-8 years). AKI was observed in 17 patients (3.2%): it was classified as AKIN stage 1 in 12 (2.3%), AKIN stage 2 in three (0.6%), and AKIN stage 3 in two (0.2%). Renal replacement therapy was needed in four (0.8%): HD in three (0.6%, transitory in 2), and continuous veno-venous hemofiltration in one (0.2%). Binary logistic regression analysis identified chronic kidney disease (odds ratio [OR] 4.68; 95% confidence interval [CI], 2.10-10.45; P < .001), and the presence of renal artery stenosis (OR, 3.80; 95% CI, 1.35-10.66; P = .011) to be associated with an increased risk of postoperative AKI. Freedom from ARM was 99.2% at 1 year. Both serum creatinine and estimated glomular filtration rate were significantly different in comparison with preoperative and postoperative level. Of the patients who developed AKI postoperatively, 15 (88.2%) did not require further renal replacement therapy at 1 year; only two patients (0.4%), who already required HD postoperatively, remained on renal replacement therapy by HD at 1 year. Mortality at 1 year was higher in patients who developed postoperative AKI (18.7% vs. 5%; OR, 5.63; P = .051). AKI after elective standard EVAR still occurs but with an acceptably low incidence rate. Preoperative chronic kidney disease is the most important predictor for postoperative AKI, which was not associated with the need of HD at 1-year follow-up but with a higher propensity of mortality.

Clinical characteristics and factors associated with acute kidney injury among patients hospitalized with coronavirus disease: an observational retrospective study.

ABSTRACTBACKGROUND: Coronavirus disease 19 (COVID-19) is a multisystemic disease with high incidence of acute kidney injury (AKI).OBJECTIVE: To describe the clinical characteristics and factors associated with AKI among patients hospitalized with COVID-19.DESIGN AND SETTING: Retrospective cohort conducted at Hospital Civil de Culiacan, Mexico.METHODS: We included 307 patients hospitalized due to COVID-19. AKI was defined and staged based on serum creatinine levels in accordance with the criteria of the Acute Kidney Injury Network (AKIN). Multivariate logistic regression analysis was used to determine factors associated with AKI.RESULTS: The patients’ age was 56 ± 15 years (64.5% male). The incidence of AKI was 33.6% (n = 103). Overall, 53.4% of patients had community-acquired AKI, and 46.6% had hospital-acquired AKI. Additionally, 15.5% of them presented AKIN stage 1; 34% had AKIN stage 2; and 50.5% had AKIN stage 3. Hemodialysis was required for 10.7% of the patients. The factors associated with AKI were chronic kidney disease (odds ratio, OR: 10.8; P = 0.04), use of norepinephrine (OR: 7.3; P = 0.002), diabetes mellitus (OR: 2.9; P = 0.03), C-reactive protein level (OR: 1.005; P = 0.01) and COVID-19 severity index based on chest tomography (OR: 1.09; statistical trend, P = 0.07). Hospital stay (11 ± 7 days; P < 0.001) and mortality (83.5 versus 31.4%; P < 0.05) were greater among patients with AKI.CONCLUSION: AKI was a frequent and serious complication in our cohort of patients hospitalized with COVID-19, which was associated with high mortality and long hospital stay.

Incidence and Importance of Calcium Deposition in Kidney Biopsy Specimens

Introduction: Calcification on native kidney biopsy specimens is often noted by pathologists, but the consequence is unknown. Methods: We searched the pathology reports in the Biopsy Biobank Cohort of Indiana for native biopsy specimens with calcification. Results: Of the 4,364 specimens, 416 (9.8%) had calcification. We compared clinical and histopathology findings in those with calcification (n = 429) compared to those without calcification (n = 3,936). Patients with calcification were older, had more comorbidities, lower estimated glomerular filtration rates (eGFR), were more likely to have hyaline arteriosclerosis, interstitial fibrosis/tubular atrophy, and a primary pathologic diagnosis of acute tubular injury or acute tubular necrosis when compared to patients without calcification. Patients with calcium oxalate deposition alone, compared to calcium phosphate or mixed calcifications, had fewer comorbidities but were more likely to have a history of gastric bypass surgery or malabsorption and take vitamin D. In patients with two or more years of follow-up, multivariate analyses showed the presence of calcification (HR 0.59, 0.38–0.92, p = 0.02) and higher eGFR (HR 0.76, 0.73–0.79, p < 0.001), was associated with decreased likelihood of progressing to end-stage renal disease. The presence of calcification was also associated with a reduced slope/decline in eGFR compared to known biopsy and clinical risk factors for decline in kidney function. We hypothesized this was due to more recoverable acute kidney injury (AKI) and found more severe acute kidney injury network stage in patients with kidney calcification but also greater improvement over time. Discussion/Conclusion: In summary, we demonstrated that calcification on kidney biopsy specimens was associated with a better prognosis than those without calcification due to the association with recoverable AKI.

MO1030: Aki Awareness and Survival in Paediatric Patients in a Western Romania Emergency Hospital—a 7 Years Retrospective Cohort Study

Abstract BACKGROUND AND AIMS Acute kidney injury (AKI) is a globally increasing healthcare problem being usually associated with low awareness and high mortality. Several large studies have drawn attention to the increasing cases of AKI in the paediatric population, mostly in the neonatal setting but also in critically ill patients and young adults. It was suggested that increased awareness could lead to early diagnosis and intervention, therefore improved survival. METHOD We performed a retrospective cohort study in ‘Louis Turcanu’ Emergency County Hospital for Children in Timisoara, Romania. Data have been extracted from the hospital electronic database, between 1 January 2014 and 31 December 2020. The cohort included 127 457 patients (aged 1 day–18 years) who had at least two serum creatinine levels determined during the same hospital admission. AKI was defined and staged according to Kidney Disease Improving Global Outcomes (KDIGO) guidelines (and 2021 Consensus conference). AKI awareness was considered the recognition of AKI diagnosis during admission as noted in the medical records according to ICD-10 Clinical Modification codes (N17.0, N17.1, N17.2, N17.8, N19, N99.0 and P96.0). AKI non-awareness was considered in patients presenting AKI criteria without diagnoses recognition in the medical records. We considered baseline serum creatinine the lowest serum creatinine value in 7 days from admission. RESULTS Over the 7-year period, 1867 patients developed AKI out of 127 457 hospital admissions. The overall AKI incidence was 1.46% and the annual incidence increased 3.95-fold during the 7 years (from 0.6% in the first year to 2.37% in the seventh). Staging AKI according to Acute Kidney Injury Network (AKIN), stage 1 was identified by us in 23.2% of the AKI cases, stage 2 in 31.3% and stage 3 in 45.5%. AKI awareness (as defined above) was 27.5% (overall), being significantly increased in premature babies (P &amp;lt; .012), full-term neonates (P &amp;lt; .0001) and toddlers (P &amp;lt; .0001). In AKI stages 1 and 2 the diagnosis of AKI (included in the patient's documents according to ICD 10) was less frequent as compared to stage 3. So, we considered that AKI awareness is significantly lower in early AKI stages (1 and 2) (i.e.16.9 and 19.7% respectively) as compared with late AKI (stage 3) 38.3% (P &amp;lt; .001). Only 19 patients (1.01%) required renal replacement therapy (RRT). During the 7-year period, the all-cause mortality in our cohort was 0.32% (410 patients died) being 0.13% in the no AKI patients and 12.8% in the AKI group (57.89% in patients treated with RRT). Odds ratio (OR) of death in the AKI diagnosed patients (aware and non-aware) was 107.67 versus non-AKI patients (P &amp;lt; .0001). The risk of death in the AKI aware group was 3.3 higher versus AKI non-aware group (P &amp;lt; .001). These not expected, reverse results, are attributable to a very low awareness (as defined by us in Methods) in the early stages of AKI. A higher mortality rate was associated with AKIN stage 3—OR of 1.53 (P &amp;lt; .001). The average length of hospital stay was significantly higher in AKI patients (20.79 days) as compared with the no AKI group (5.74 days). CONCLUSION The awareness of AKI in children remains a problem worldwide with implications on the survival of patients. Being aware of AKI means early identifying the risk of AKI, early diagnosis and early intervention. As it was presented above late diagnosis and awareness are associated with high mortality rate and the need for interventions (RRT) associated with high mortality risk.

C-Reactive Protein to Albumin Ratio in Patients Undergoing Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement

ObjectiveTo evaluate whether the serum C-reactive protein to albumin ratio (CAR) could be used for risk stratification of patients undergoing transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) for severe aortic stenosis (AS). Patients and MethodsFrailty is a predictor of poor outcomes in patients undergoing AS interventions. The CAR reflects key components of frailty (systemic inflammation and nutrition) and could potentially be implemented into assessment and management strategies for patients with AS. From March 1, 2010, through February 29, 2020, 1836 patients were prospectively enrolled in an observational TAVR database. Patients (prospective development cohort, n=763) were grouped into CAR quartiles to compare the upper quartile (CAR Q4) with the lower quartiles (CAR Q1-3). Primary end point was all-cause mortality. Results were verified in an independent retrospective cohort (n=1403). ResultsThe CAR Q4 had a higher prevalence of impaired left ventricular function, atrial fibrillation, diabetes, and cerebrovascular disease and a higher median logistic European System for Cardiac Operative Risk Evaluation (EuroSCORE) vs CAR Q1-3. After median follow-up of 15.0 months, all-cause mortality was significantly higher in CAR Q4 vs CAR Q1-3 (P<.001). In multivariable analyses, risk factors for all-cause mortality were CAR Q4 (>0.1632; hazard ratio, 1.45; 95% confidence interval, 1.05 to 2.00; P=.03), N-terminal pro–B-type natriuretic peptide Q4 (>3230 pg/mL [to convert to ng/L, multiply by 1), high-sensitivity troponin T Q4 (>0.0395 ng/mL [to convert to μg/L, multiply by 1]), above-median logistic EuroSCORE (16.1%), myocardial infarction, Acute Kidney Injury Network stage 3, and life-threatening bleeding. ConclusionElevated CAR was associated with increased risk of all-cause mortality in patients undergoing transfemoral TAVR. The CAR, a simple, objective tool to assess frailty, could be incorporated into assessing patients with AS being considered for TAVR.

Furosemide stress test predicts acute kidney injury progression in intensive care unit

Introduction: Clinical tools to predict acute kidney injury (AKI) in intensive care unit (ICU) are lacking. Objectives: This prospective study was conducted to assess the utility of furosemide stress test (FST) to predict AKI and its progression to severe stages and requirement of hemodialysis (HD). Patients and methods: Patients in AKI stage I or II were given a standardized dose of frusemide as per protocol. The study cohort included 62 patients. Response to FST was assessed by urine output (UOP) at 2 hours. Study patients were subsequently divided into two groups, those with UOP &gt;200 mL (group A) and those with UOP &lt;200 mL (group B). Results: Group A constituted 71% (n=44) of cases. Of them, 2 (4.54%) patients progressed to AKI Network (AKIN) stage III. Group B constituted 29% of cases (n=18). Of them, 12 (66%) cases progressed to AKIN stage III. In group A, 4.5% (n=2) of cases required HD. In comparison, 55% (n=10) of group B patients required HD during the hospital stay. Mortality rate was 6.8% (n=3) in group A and 33.3% (n=6) in group B. The duration of stay was more in the patients with UOP &lt;200 mL group compared to UOP &gt;200 mL group. Conclusion: FST may be a reliable predictor of AKI progression to severe stages and requirement of dialysis in ICUs.

Effects of dexmedetomidine on surgery for type A acute aortic dissection outcome

No study has evaluated the effect of dexmedetomidine in patients who received surgery for type A aortic dissection. This is the first study to evaluate the effect of dexmedetomidine in aortic dissection patients. This study was executed using data from the Chang Gung Research Database in Taiwan. The CGRD contains the multi‐institutional standardized electronic medical records from seven Chang Gung Memorial hospitals, the largest medical system in Taiwan. We retrospectively evaluate patients who received surgery for acute type A aortic dissection between January 2014 and December 2018. Overall, 511 patients were included, of whom 104 has received dexmedetomidine infusion in the postoperative period. One-to-two propensity score-matching yielded 86 cases in the dexmedetomidine group and 158 cases in the non-dexmedetomidine group. The in-hospital mortality and composite outcome including all-cause mortality, acute kidney injury, delirium, postoperative atrial fibrillation, and respiratory failure, were considered primary outcomes. The in-hospital mortality and composite outcome were similar between groups. The risk of Acute Kidney Injury Network stage 3 acute kidney injury was significantly lower in the dexmedetomidine group than in the non-dexmedetomidine group (8.1% vs 19.0%; OR, 0.38; 95% CI, 0.17–0.86; p = 0.020. The risk of newly-onset dialysis was also significantly lower in the dexmedetomidine group than in the non-dexmedetomidine group (4.7% vs 13.3%; OR, 0.32; 95% CI, 0.11–0.90; p = 0.031). Post-operative dexmedetomidine infusion significantly reduced the rate of severe acute kidney injury and newly-onset dialysis in patients who received surgery for acute type A aortic dissection.

A Comparison of AKIN, KDIGO, and RIFLE Definitions to Diagnose Acute Kidney Injury and Predict the Outcomes after Cardiac Surgery in a South Asian Cohort

Background: Acute kidney injury (AKI) after cardiac surgery is associated with an increased mortality and morbidity. Different definitions for AKI have been used such as Acute Kidney Injury Network (AKIN), Kidney Disease: Improving Global Outcomes (KDIGO), or risk, injury, failure, loss, end-stage kidney disease (RIFLE). Each of these definitions has their own benefits and limitations for predicting the degree of AKI and adverse outcomes following cardiac surgery. This study was aimed to compare the three AKI definitions to diagnose AKI and their predictive ability for mortality and morbidity after isolated coronary artery bypass surgery (CABG) in a South Asian cohort. Material and Methods: A single-center retrospective review was conducted on 1,508 patients having undergone isolated CABG surgery from January 2015 to January 2019. AKI was assessed on three definitions, and comparative receiver operating characteristics curves were built against the outcomes to assess discriminative power of each. Results: Mean age of participants was 59.43 (±1.12) years, predominantly males (82.6%). Patients with AKI were elder, more likely to be diabetic and hypertensive. AKI by any definition occurred in 58.7% (885/1,508) patients. Frequency of AKI was 508 (33.7%), 517 (34.4%), and 871 (57.8%) on AKIN, KDIGO, and RIFLE criteria, respectively. The proportion of patients with RIFLE-risk 619 (41%) was greater compared with AKIN stage 1 (342 [22.7%]) and KDIGO stage 1 (330 [21.9%]), while for stages 2 and 3 the proportions were comparable across the three systems. Area under the curve (AUC) for 30-day mortality for AKIN was (0.786, [95% CI: 0.764–0.806]), KDIGO: (0.796, [95% CI: 0.775–0.816]) and for RIFLE (0.844, [95% CI: 0.825–0.862]). AUC for overall morbidity was in undesirable ranges (i.e., >0.5–≤0.7) for all three definitions. Conclusion: In a South Asian cohort, performance of AKIN and KDIGO criteria was comparable to diagnose AKI, while RIFLE definition, though overestimated the incidence of AKI particularly stage 1, and had an excellent discriminatory power to predict mortality compared to other two definitions.

Dexmedetomidine reduces acute kidney injury after endovascular aortic repair of Stanford type B aortic dissection: A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled pilot study

Study objectiveTo determine the effect of dexmedetomidine on acute kidney injury (AKI) following endovascular aortic repair (EVAR) for Stanford type B aortic dissection (TBAD). DesignRandomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, pilot study. SettingUniversity Hospital. Patients102 TBAD patients undergoing EVAR procedures were enrolled. Patients with dissection involving aortic arch or renal artery were excluded. InterventionsPatients were randomly assigned, in a 1:1 ratio, to a dexmedetomidine group (intravenous dexmedetomidine 0.4 μg/kg/h immediately after anesthesia induction and 0.1 μg/kg/h after extubation, which was maintained until 24 h) or a normal saline control group. MeasurementsThe primary outcome was the incidence of AKI within the first two days after surgery, based on the Acute Kidney Injury Network (AKIN) criteria. The secondary outcomes included serum cystatin C and estimated glomerular filtration rate on postoperative days 1, 2, and 7, and in-hospital need for renal replacement therapy (RRT). Long-term outcomes included RRT and all-cause mortality. Main resultsNinety-eight patients completed the study (dexmedetomidine, n = 48; control, n = 50). AKIN stage 1 AKI occurred in 3/48 (6.3%) patients receiving dexmedetomidine, compared with 11/50 (22%) patients receiving normal saline (odds ratio = 0.24, 95% CI: 0.07 to 0.89, P = 0.041). This difference remained significant after adjusting for baseline covariates (adjusted odds ratio = 0.21, 95% CI: 0.05 to 0.84; P = 0.028). Dexmedetomidine led to a lower serum cystatin C on postoperative day 1 (median [IQR] mg/L: 1.31 [1.02–1.72] vs. 1.58 [1.28–1.96]). There were no between-group differences in other secondary or long-term outcomes. During the follow-up (median = 28.4 months), 1 patient in the dexmedetomidine group and 3 patients in the control group required RRT. ConclusionsDexmedetomidine reduced the incidence of AKI in TBAD patients after EVAR procedures. The long-term benefits of dexmedetomidine in this patient population warrant further investigation.Trial registration: ChiCTR-IPR-15006372.

Transplant outcomes using kidneys from high KDPI acute kidney injury donors.

Kidney transplant (KT) outcomes from high kidney donor profile index (KDPI ≥85%) donors with acute kidney injury (AKI) remain underreported. KT from 172 high KDPI Acute Kidney Injury Network (AKIN) stage 0-1 donors and 76 high KDPI AKIN stage 2-3 donors from a single center were retrospectively assessed. The AKIN 2-3 cohort had more delayed graft function (71% vs. 37%, p<.001). At one year, there were no differences in the estimated glomerular filtration rate (44±17 vs. 46±18, p=.42) or fibrosis on protocol biopsy (ci, p=.85). Donor terminal creatinine (p=.59) and length of delayed graft function (p=.39) did not impact one-year eGFR. There were more primary nonfunction (PNF) events in the high KDPI AKIN 2-3 group (5.3% vs. 0.6%, p=.02). With a median follow-up of 3.8years, one-year death-censored graft failure was 3.5% for AKIN 0-1 and 14.5% for AKIN 2-3 (HR 2.40, 95% CI 1.24-4.63, p=.01). Although AKIN stage 2-3 high KDPI kidneys had comparable one-year eGFR to AKIN stage 0-1 high KDPI kidneys, there were more PNF occurrences and one-year death-censored graft survival was reduced. Given these findings, additional precautions should be undertaken when assessing and utilizing kidneys from severe AKI high KDPI donors.

Frailty in patients undergoing transcatheter aortic valve replacement: prognostic value of the Geriatric Nutritional Risk Index.

BackgroundMalnutrition is a hallmark of frailty, is common among elderly patients, and is a predictor of poor outcomes in patients with severe symptomatic aortic stenosis (AS). The Geriatric Nutritional Risk Index (GNRI) is a simple and well‐established screening tool to predict the risk of morbidity and mortality in elderly patients. In this study, we evaluated whether GNRI may be used in the risk stratification and management of patients undergoing transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR).MethodsPatients with symptomatic severe AS (n = 953) who underwent transfemoral TAVR at the University Hospital Schleswig‐Holstein Kiel, Germany, between 2010 and 2019 (development cohort) were divided into two groups: normal GNRI ≥ 98 (no nutrition‐related risk; n = 618) versus low GNRI < 98 (at nutrition‐related risk; n = 335). The results were validated in an independent (validation) cohort from another high‐volume TAVR centre (n = 977).ResultsThe low‐GNRI group had a higher proportion of female patients (59.1% vs. 52.1%), higher median age (82.9 vs. 81.8 years), prevalence of atrial fibrillation (50.4% vs. 40.0%), median logistic EuroSCORE (17.5% vs. 15.0%) and impaired left ventricular function (<35%: 10.7% vs. 6.8%), lower median estimated glomerular filtration rate (50 vs. 57 mL/min/1.73 m2) and median albumin level (3.5 vs. 4.0 g/dL) compared with the normal‐GNRI group. Among peri‐procedural complications, Acute Kidney Injury Network (AKIN) Stage 3 was more common in the low‐GNRI group (3.6% vs. 0.6%, p = 0.002). After a mean follow‐up of 21.1 months, all‐cause mortality was significantly increased in the low‐GNRI group compared with the normal‐GNRI group (p < 0.001). This was confirmed in the validation cohort (p < 0.001). Low GNRI < 98 was identified as an independent risk factor for all‐cause mortality (hazard ratio 1.44, 95% CI 1.01–2.04, p = 0.043). Other independent risk factors included albumin level < median of 4.0 g/dL, high‐sensitive troponin T in the highest quartile (> 45.0 pg/mL), N‐terminal pro‐B‐type natriuretic peptide in the highest quartile (> 3595 pg/mL), grade III–IV tricuspid regurgitation, pulmonary arterial hypertension, life‐threatening bleeding, AKIN Stage 3 and disabling stroke.ConclusionsLow GNRI score was associated with an increased risk of all‐cause mortality in patients undergoing TAVR, implying that this vulnerable group may benefit from improved preventive measures.

Association of Severe Acute Kidney Injury with Mortality and Healthcare Utilization Following Isolated Traumatic Brain Injury.

Traumatic brain injury (TBI) is a leading cause of morbidity, mortality, and disability in the USA. While cardiopulmonary dysfunction can result in poor outcomes following severe TBI, the impact of acute kidney injury (AKI) is poorly understood. We examined the association of severe AKI with hospital mortality and healthcare utilization following isolate severe TBI. We conducted a retrospective cohort study using the National Trauma Data Bank from 2007 to 2014. We identified a cohort of adult patients with isolated severe TBI and described the incidence of severe AKI, corresponding to Acute Kidney Injury Network stage 3 disease or greater. We examined the association of severe AKI with the primary outcome of hospital mortality using multivariable logistic regression models. In secondary analyses, we examined the association of severe AKI with dialysis catheter placement, tracheostomy and gastrostomy utilization, and hospital length of stay. There were 37,851 patients who experienced isolated severe TBI during the study period. Among these patients, 787 (2.1%) experienced severe (Stage 3 or greater) AKI. In multivariable models, the development of severe AKI in the hospital was associated with in-hospital mortality (OR 2.03, 95% CI 1.64-2.52), need for tracheostomy (OR 2.10, 95% CI 1.52-2.89), PEG tube placement (OR 1.88, 95% CI 1.45-2.45), and increased hospital length of stay (p < 0.001). The overall incidence of severe AKI is relatively low (2.1%), but is associated with increased mortality and multiple markers of increased healthcare utilization following severe TBI.

Cellular injury leading to oxidative stress in acute poisoning with potassium permanganate/oxalic acid, paraquat, and glyphosate surfactant herbicide

Previous studies on human acute kidney injury (AKI) following poisoning with potassium permanganate/oxalic acid (KMnO4/H2C2O4), paraquat, and glyphosate surfactant herbicide (GPSH) have shown rapid and large increases in serum creatinine (sCr) that cannot be entirely explained by direct nephrotoxicity. One plausible mechanism for a rapid increase in sCr is oxidative stress. Thus, we aimed to explore biomarkers of oxidative stress, cellular injury, and their relationship with sCr, after acute KMnO4/H2C2O4, paraquat, and GPSH poisonings. Serum biomarkers [sCr, creatine (sCn), cystatin C (sCysC)] and urinary biomarkers [cytochrome C (CytoC), 8-isoprostane (8-IsoPs)] were evaluated in 105 patients [H2C2O4/KMnO4 (N = 57), paraquat, (N = 21), GPSH (N = 27)] recruited to a multicenter cohort study. We used area under the receiver operating characteristics curve (AUC-ROC) to quantify the extent of prediction of moderate to severe AKI (acute kidney injury network stage 2/3 (AKIN2/3)). Patients with AKIN2/3 showed increased levels of CytoC. Early high CytoC predicted AKIN2/3 in poisoning with KMnO4/H2C2O4 (AUC-ROC4−8h: 0.81), paraquat (AUC-ROC4−8h: 1.00), and GPSH (AUC-ROC4−8h: 0.91). 8-Isoprostane levels were not significantly elevated. Reduced sCn and increased sCr/sCn ratios were observed for 48 h post KMnO4/H2C2O4 ingestion. Paraquat exhibited a similar pattern (N = 11), however only 3 were included in our study. Increased CytoC suggests there is mitochondrial injury coupled with energy depletion. The increased sCr within 24 h could be due to increased conversion of cellular creatine to creatinine during the process of adenosine triphosphate (ATP) generation and then efflux from cells. Later increases of sCr are more likely to represent a true decrease in kidney function.

Renal doppler changes in patients with acute pancreatitis: A prospective study

BackgroundRenal Doppler to assess renal resistive index (RRI) is an attractive option to prognosticate acute kidney injury (AKI) in acute pancreatitis (AP) as it is feasible within scope of point-of-care ultrasound. However, RRI has been infrequently evaluated in AP. ObjectiveProspectively study diagnostic and prognostic performance of RRI in patients with AP. Methodology75 patients with AP were prospectively enrolled and followed till recovery/death. All patients were subjected to renal Doppler and RRI was compared between patients with and without AKI. ResultsThirty six patients developed AKI and 39 patients did not develop AKI. AKI network stage 1, 2 and 3 AKI was seen in 7(19.4%), 12(33.3%) and 17 (47.2%) patients respectively. Prognostic scoring done at admission by SIRS, modified marshal score, and BISAP scores, as well as duration of hospitalization and mortality rates were significantly higher in patients with AKI. Mean peak systolic velocity and RRI at upper, middle and lower poles of bilateral kidneys were comparable between patients with and without AKI. The RRI was abnormal in 46 (66.6%) patients and it was <0.6 in 35/46 (76%) and >0.7 in 11/46 (24%) patients respectively. RRI <0.6 was observed in 16 (53.3%) and 19 (48.7%) patients with and without AKI respectively (p = 0.80). RRI >0.7 was observed in 4 (53.3%) and 7 (48.7%) patients with and without AKI respectively (p = 0.74). ConclusionsAKI is associated with poor prognosis in AP. RRI on renal Doppler at admission seems to have poor diagnostic as well as prognostic performance for AKI in patients with AP.

Functional outcomes after pyeloplasty in solitary kidneys: structured analysis with the implication of Acute Kidney Injury Network (AKIN) staging criteria to predict long-term renal function recoverability.

To assess the long-term functional outcomes after pyeloplasty in solitary kidney (SK) models and to define factors affecting postoperative renal function recoverability in adults. We retrospectively evaluated all adult patients who underwent pyeloplasty for pelvi-ureteric junction obstruction (PUJO) in SK. Long-term renal function was assessed by diuretic scintigraphy and morphological changes were also determined, e.g. renal parenchymal volume (RPV) and parenchymal thickness (PT). We considered a >20% increase in glomerular filtration rate (GFR) as improvement, >20% decrease as deterioration, and changes within 20% as stationary renal function. Univariate and multivariate analysis for factors affecting renal function recoverability, including the Acute Kidney Injury Network (AKIN) Staging System postoperatively, were performed. The study included 62 patients with a mean (SD) age of 29(10.5)years. At a median of 48months, the mean (SD) GFR increased from 41.3(17) to 48.5(20.1)mL/min (P<0.001), with a significant increase in RPV and PT (P=0.02 and P=0.001, respectively). Follow-up renal function was static, improved and decreased in 39 (63.4%), 17 (27%) and six (9.6%) patients, respectively. Functional success was achieved in 90.4%. Patient's age ≥39years, PT ≤0.75cm and higher early postoperative AKIN staging were predictors associated with a 4.8-, 3.2- and 2.7-fold deterioration in renal function. Pyeloplasty in SK preserved renal function in 90.4% of the present patients. Pyeloplasty in SK when associated with older age, decreased PT preoperatively, and early higher AKIN staging postoperatively was associated with poor renal function recoverability.

Moderate to Severe Acute Kidney Injury Leads to Worse Outcomes in Complex Thoracic Aortic Surgery

The impact of acute kidney injury (AKI) in thoracic aortic surgery is not well defined. This study aimed to examine the impact of varying severity of AKI on in-hospital and long-term outcome in these patients. From 2004 to 2018, 1142 patients underwent thoracic aortic surgery at a single institution (University of Ottawa Heart Institute, Ottawa, Canada) and were stratified into 4 groups on the basis of the severity of postoperative AKI: no AKI (n= 705), Acute Kidney Injury Network (AKIN) stage 1 (n= 261), AKIN stage 2 (n= 72), and AKIN stage 3 (n= 104). Outcomes include in-hospital mortality, morbidity, and long-term survival. Multivariable logistic regression was used to identify independent predictors of AKI. Propensity score matching was performed to identify pairs of patients without postoperative AKI or with AKIN stage 1 AKI, as well as pairs of patients without postoperative AKI and those with AKIN stage 2 or higher AKI. Kaplan-Meier curves were plotted for late survival. In the propensity-matched cohort, patients with postoperative AKIN stage I AKI had worse in-hospital mortality but comparable long-term survival when compared with patients without postoperative AKI. Patients with AKIN stage 2 or higher AKI experienced significantly higher in-hospital mortality compared with patients without postoperative AKI (15.9% vs 4.6%; P < .01) and worse 8-year survival (65.9% ± 34.1% vs 80.1% ± 20.0%; P < .01). Moderate to severe AKI is a serious complication and is associated with significantly worse short- and long-term outcomes; targeting mild AKI with therapeutic intervention is an important step in improving patient outcomes.

The Impact of Suprarenal Cross-Clamping on Kidney Function in Patients Undergoing Retroperitoneal Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm Repair following an Enhanced Recovery Protocol

The retroperitoneal approach (RP) is a well-established procedure for juxtarenal and infrarenal (IR) abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) repair when an endovascular option is not available. The aim of this study is to compare the effect of suprarenal (SR) and IR aortic clamping on postoperative renal function following an Enhanced Recovery Protocol (ERP). Since there are no defined guidelines within aortic surgery, we focused our attention on the role of fluid and vasopressor administration in the development of postoperative acute kidney injury (AKI). This is a single-center retrospective cohort study on 140 RP aortic aneurysm repair patients operated between 2009 and 2019. Patients were divided in 2 groups: 24 had SR clamping and 116 IR clamping. Since 2009, at our institution all patients have followed an Enchanced Recovery Program which has been implemented as standard care for patients undergoing open AAA repair. The 2 groups were well matched for baseline characteristics, preoperative renal function, and comorbidity. There was an increased need for intraoperative fluids (P=0.015), and vasopressors (P=0.002) in the SR group compared to the IR group. Patients in the SR group showed a higher trend of postoperative AKI as opposed to the control group (37.5% vs. 19.8%), although this event was not statistically significant (P=0.106). Acute Kidney Injury Network stage III requiring temporary dialysis occurred in only 3 patients who all belonged to the IR group. Conversely, stage I and II with a 2- or 3-fold increase in postoperative creatinine were more frequent in the SR group. However, these normalized before discharge in all cases. To the best of our knowledge, none of the above required permanent dialysis. The results from this study show that SR clamping during RP juxtarenal aortic aneurysm repair does not have an adverse effect on postoperative renal function in the short term. However, patients undergoing SR clamping require greater fluid and vasopressor usage, in contrast with the restrictive fluid therapy established by traditional protocols. This could be an important benchmark for future implementation of ERPs in vascular surgery, especially in open procedures requiring visceral clamping.

Acute kidney injury following on-pump or off-pump coronary artery bypass grafting in elderly patients: a retrospective propensity score matching analysis

ObjectivesThis single-centre, retrospective propensity score matching (PSM) study designed to study the impact of cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) on postoperative acute kidney injury (AKI) and the relationship between AKI and long-term outcomes in elderly patients undergoing coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG).MethodsAfter PSM, 466 pairs of patients (A group, on-pump; B group, off-pump) who were aged≥70 years undergoing first isolated CABG surgery from January 2012 to December 2016 entered the study. AKI was defined and classified according to the Acute Kidney Injury Network (AKIN) criteria. The incidence and severity of in-hospital AKI were compared. The impacts of AKI on the long-term outcomes including new onset of dialysis and mortality were analyzed.ResultsThe two PSM groups had similar baseline and procedure except whether the CPB was used or not. In hospital and 30-day mortality was of no difference(χ2 = 0.051, p = 0.821). AKI of any severity occurred in 40.3% of all patients, with stage 1 accounting for most cases. No difference regarding the incidence and severity of AKI could be found: AKIN stage 1: 139 (29.8%) vs 131 (28.1%); AKIN stage 2: 40 (8.6%) vs 35 (7.5%); AKIN stage 3: 18 (3.9%) vs 13 (2.8%), (u = 0.543, p = 0.532). No difference was observed in the in-hospital new onset of dialysis (χ2 = 0.312, P = 0.576). The use of CPB was not found to influence long-term new onset of dialysis (χ2 = 0.14, p = 0.708) and mortality (χ2 = 0.099, p = 0.753). Comparing with non-AKI patients, AKI patients were associated with an increased rates of new onset of dialysis (χ2 = 8.153, p = 0.004) and mortality (χ2 = 6.277, p = 0.012) during the follow-up. Multivariable logistic regression manifested that the HR for long-term new onset of dialysis and mortality in AKI patients vs. non-AKI patients was 1.83 and 1.31 respectively (95%CI 1.12–2.86, p = 0.007; 95%CI 1.17–2.58, p = 0.015). The HR for long-term new onset of dialysis and mortality in on-pump group vs. off-pump group was 1.07 and 1.11 respectively (95%CI 1.03–1.23, p = 0.661; 95%CI 1.09–1.64, p = 0.702).ConclusionsFor elderly CABG patients, AKI was common, but deterioration of dialysis was a seldom incidence. Comparing with on-pump, off-pump did not decrease the rates or severity of AKI, long-term new onset of dialysis or mortality. AKI was associated with an increased long-term new onset of dialysis and decreased long-term survival.

CD4+ T cell lymphopenia predicts mortality from Pneumocystis pneumonia in kidney transplant patients.

Pneumocystis jirovecii pneumonia (PcP) remains a life-threatening opportunistic infection after solid organ transplantation, even in the era of Pneumocystis prophylaxis. The association between risk of developing PcP and low CD4+ T cell counts has been well established. However, it is unknown whether lymphopenia in the context of post-renal transplant PcP increases the risk of mortality. We carried out a retrospective analysis of a cohort of kidney transplant patients with PcP (n=49) to determine the risk factors for mortality associated with PcP. We correlated clinical and demographic data with the outcome of the disease. For CD4+ T cell counts, we used the Wilcoxon rank sum test for in-hospital mortality and a Cox proportional-hazards regression model for 60-day mortality. In univariate analyses, high CRP, high neutrophils, CD4+ T cell lymphopenia, mechanical ventilation, and high acute kidney injury network stage were associated with in-hospital mortality following presentation with PcP. In a receiver-operator characteristic (ROC) analysis, an optimum cutoff of ≤200 CD4+ T cells/µL predicted in-hospital mortality, CD4+ T cell lymphopenia remained a risk factor in a Cox regression model. Low CD4+ T cell count in kidney transplant recipients is a biomarker for disease severity and a risk factor for in-hospital mortality following presentation with PcP.